Oh that magical mouse!I created this piece with wholesome family values at heart; the forever togetherness, the overwhelming, sickening sentimentality, and the candy thick crust of uniquely ideal American aesthetics. Never-mind the erosive and mutagenic qualities of picture perfect imagery and an ever- innocent propaganda agenda...I am never one to except any creature for what it initially appears to be, and sometimes it's just too much temptation to resist filtering that wonderfully cute perception through my own unique and undoubtedly bizarre lens. Obviously all that cheesey-feel-goody-buisness has made an significant impression on me ....and that's okay, that's what all that pop and family-friendly culture is designed to do. But how those impressions manifest themselves in our minds and actions, well, that's where things get colorful.

Twisted expression and melting, ozzing, peeling superficial flesh reveal this mouse-likened mascot as something secretly much more sinister. Uncovered by an explosion of cosmetic radiation and stripped of his alluring plastic appeal, my representation of this cultural demi-god exposes a rat like creature of snarling ferocity, hell bent on worldwide consumption. The "G" rating in this case is very much for Gross.

My never ending thanks and appreciation to the wonderful Chet Zar and his own magical crew, and of course, an enormous squeaky-shout out of gratitude to Copro Gallery for yet again hosting my work and the work of so many talented deviants out there stirring the pot. XoXO

Check out the Exhibited Works HEREand Read up on (just a few of many) sources of excellent event coverage by HIGH FRUCTOSE Magazine HERE and ArrestedMotion HERE

Opening January 24th is the fifth installment of the infamous "Conjoined" series, curated by the devilishly talented artist Chet Zar. The show takes place in Santa Monica, Ca. at Copro Gallery and is a premiere attraction for lovers of dark, surreal, hyperreal, and traditional contemporary sculpture. The show also focuses on assemblages, mixed media pieces, and paintings as part of it's diverse collection of truly impressive works. An Artist listing can be found here. Included in this collection is my very own, Cerberus, one contribution I am both humbled and elated to have representing. This monstrous trio of heads was put together in true Frankenstein style and in our time together I grew to love, hate, and fear this entity all at the same time. Greek Gods be willing.

Since many of my fans may not be present to see this piece in person, I'd like to point out a few subtle details and inspirational notes that tell the story of this large undertaking (pun intended). For Historical background on Cerberus click here, or check out the Cerberus Wiki.

To build Cerberus I chose to fuse together the heads of three coyotes, and hugely modify the skins and interior forms to create one complete creature. The structure is so big that a special reinforcing layer was needed support the weight of the three heads and their epoxy, fiberglass, and steel modifications. In the slideshow below you will find all the production photos and finished images of this otherworldy inhabitant.

I enjoyed making this piece so much, I've already begun building yet another mythological creature...

~Stay Tuned~

Title: "Cerberus"Artist: Emi SladeSize: approximately 30" × 24" × 20"

Weight: 30lbs.

Materials: Rogue Taxidermy/Mixed Media. ...Or Recycled and Compassionately* sourced Coyote, Bear, Opossum, and Rabbit furs, Foam, Steel, Epoxy, Glass, Wood, Acrylic paint, and Varnish.Price: 5000$ with 10+% proceeds (Artists cut) going to a local "no-kill" animal rehabilitation shelter.Operation of LED system: LED lighting system is powered by 3 AAA batteries (included). The battery pack is concealed behind the base and has several settings. The "Fading" option is preferred and gives the illusion of a red pulsating heartbeat. Turning on the system sets the automatic programming and the piece will then auto activate a 6 hrs on/18 hrs off cycle until the batteries die...or about a month. This is a great selling point as the sculpture can essentially illuminate any space it is hung and could even function as a lamp or "nightlight" for some awesome collector looking for a hell hound guardsmen!*meaning no animals were harmed, killed, or otherwise exploited to create this work (or any of my Rogue Taxidermy work)

I’m very excited to announce my invitation to exhibit at Auguste’ Clown Gallery in Australia for this years “Halloween Show”.The list of participants is out-of-this-world and I am sure the event will be a huge success & spectacle. Below are images of my very thematic contribution, and just in time for the official Halloween season! Meooow.

A strong desire to know or learn something.2. A strange or unusual object or fact

…You know what it did to the cat. And now I’ve brought it out for you.

“Cabinet & Curiosity” is an installation style piece inspired by the late H.P Lovecraft and his world of the twisted, tentacled, macabre. Installed inside a heavily distressed and “reborn” gothic style clock tower lives this horrid and rather enormous wriggling beast. It’s single, penetrating golden eye never loses it’s fixation, never blinks, and never ever stops shining. Atop the head of the beast are translucent pustules and tattered rudimentary wings and arm-like projections. The creature appears to be in a sort of recently disturbed repose, at first relaxing inside it’s age old and scratched to the bone cabinet home, only now beginning it’s slow creeping decent upon it’s new viewer.

you have to see this one to believe it, but unless you’re in Washington state, these pictures (or a purchase) will have to do.…

“Cabinet & Curiosity” is currently on display at the Red Raven Gallery, Port Townsend WA for the “What the Moon Brings” Lovecraft show. Available works can be purchased through the galleryHERE. Be careful out there…

Kicking off September right, my dream creature for La Luz de Jesus Gallery’s much anticipated “Coaster Show”. For those of you outside Hollywood, CA: La Luz de Jesus Gallery has quite the reputation for being an ever-evolving arena of ground-breaking and original art shows, bizarre pop culture festivities, creative book signings, and yes,… even rogue taxidermy demos. Seeking to outdo themselves a second time around (the first show was a smash success of course, but why settle) the La Luz team invited virtually everyone from the pop surrealism art culture to accept, tinker, and return what would later be over 1,500 mini masterpieces of lowbrow coasterific art. But why Coasters you ask? To coincide with LA’s Beer week of course, and to remind the world of the inherent beauty of approachable, hilarious, absurd art for drunken (and sober) patrons sake. This is my favorite kind of show: over-the-top and sometimes, even under the belt line.Here’s my contribution; a dreamy Raven I dreamed up, aptly named: “Dream Raven” (I know, I know..I’m a master with words.)

Debuting June 14th @ Clutter Gallery are my brand new and shockingly lively sculptural renditions of a Cassowary Bird and a mutant leucistic Alligator (with tentacles of course!) These sculptures are very unique to my previous collections and are signs of the evolution my work is undergoing. The Cassowary bust stands a hefty 20″ tall and features the use of black bear fur scraps on its body and eyebrows. The gorgeous blue-eyed reptilian is also a breach from my typical “sea” inspired works, and is the beginning of a long love affair with these charismatic and dangerous freshwater creatures. A quick google search will reveal that both animals are largely considered “lethal” yet both sculptures reflect a whimsical and approachable side, reminding viewers deadly is also beautiful, and curious about you as well.

Both original works will be available for sale through the gallery directly and online, and interested collectors are encouraged to sign up for the exclusive “Gallery Preview” here to get their hands on their favorite picks. “Tenebrous” is a group sculptural exhibition and features the works of several top creators in this field. If you are local, stop by for the opening June 14th with a reception from 6-9pm at The Clutter Gallery, 163 Main Street, Beacon, NY 12508.

Visit Clutters website here for more information regarding the magazine, gallery, or online social hubs.

In early May I was a featured artist at the Spectrum Fantastic Art Live event in Kansas City, MO. With anyone who needs a refresher, Spectrum is a hardcover annual expose’ on the best of the best in the fantasy, horror, and sci-fi arts community. As quoted on their official website: “Spectrum matches or significantly exceeds the circulations of the other art annuals/source books published each year. Spectrum is sold in the mass market through all the major bookstores. Copies are also sent to many art directors and publishers to maximize exposure for the artists featured in the book. More eyes means more opportunities. As an international resource, participants report receiving commissions for work from clients from around the globe who have cited Spectrum as their contact source. Spectrum doesn’t exist to categorize or define fantastic art; rather, it exists to honor the imaginations of very special artists who delight in helping us see the world in a wonderfully different light. It’s our job to help them reach a wider appreciative audience.” In Summary, SPECTRUM ROCKS.Now for the last three years Spectrum has gone live and hosts an enormous gathering of 200+ of their featured artists, and dazzles us with meet and greets, top notch catering (yum), and the always a spectacle “Spectrum Awards Ceremony”. We walk the red carpet, have our photos snapped by paparazzi, and generally carry on like 200 + amazing artists under one seriously lavish roof could be expected to. As I did last year, I had the time of my life shaking hands with legends and selling my best works to a hungry-for-more collector population! Below you will find some pics I was somehow able to snap before the show opened and tried to capture the feel for the event (though there is virtually NO way to capture the size)…however, as many of you understand, this energy transcends far beyond what a camera can capture and I guess you really did just have to be there!From the bottom of my squishy tentacled heart, I’d like to thank the Lazarus Potter, all the participating artists, and of course Fenners for their continued support and generosity in light, love, and art magic. Until next year….God Speed Fellow Spectrumites, God Speed!!!!

La Luz de Jesus in Hollywood, CA reached out and received the two taxidermic animal hybrids “Arctic Merfox” and “Conjoined Jackalope”. Both of these sculptures are entirely hand made from eyes to elbows, and the animal parts were collected from extremely ethical sources. The “Arctic Merfox” is a wild, underwater sea fox with wild snapping jaws, gills, tentacles, and flicking tongue. The creature is constructed with arctic fox fur remnants and domestic rabbit fur. The teeth and mouth are all sculpted using the same techniques as I use to create sea creatures; layers of polymer and epoxy clay sculpted and painted to perfection . The “Conjoined Jackalope” is a very elegantly fused pair of rabbit heads, with fused sculpted antlers and melded double features. The muzzles were also enlarged and rounded to create a more antelope like profile.These pieces for the “Biannual Rogue Taxidermy Show” will be available for purchase May 2nd (opening night) through La Luz online or in person at the event. I will post more information regarding other participating artists as the event nears, but just as it was 2 years ago when I visited with my nightmare rabbit, this will be a one-of-a-kind experience and will not fail to impress in every possible way!Quoted from La Luz’s website

La Luz de Jesus: "This is not your granddady’s taxidermy: road kill is a central part of the “recycled” philosophy of this unusual and enlightening exhibition, as are discarded livestock, destroyed nuisance animals, casualties of the pet trade and animals that have expired from natural causes. Other sculptures utilize taxidermy techniques in an unorthodox way to fashion fantastic beasts from everyday materials–even the recycled pelts of toy stuffed animals. Elements of technology and decoration combine to create ornaments that approach high art, not only in craft, but in concept.

Materials and even species are mixed, helping to broaden presumptive definitions.Pieces in this exhibition span Steam Punk to Rococo -from playful to elegant"

This spring I was honored to be involved with @ Alexi Era Gallery in two of their most successful and uniquely themed group shows. My piece “Sharing a moment” which is two octopus lovers exchanging a caress and a gift of sparkling stone, debuted alongside "Mass Culture" in the accompanying group mini show “Small Treasures”.Next on exhibit was the beautiful “Indelible” show, featuring work from superstar artists Yoko-d’Holbachie, Valency Genis, Chris Haas, Scott Holloway, Cory Benhatzel, yours truly, and many many more! My two pieces; a duo of cephalopod lovin'. “Archetype of Adventure” a large blue salty sea creature with a thousand stories but only one good eye. His body is dimpled with fish hooks, tattoos, battle scars, and all the little details you’d expect on an old time octo-mariner. Second is the bejeweled “Gilded Cuttlefish”, a highly textured and golden brushed cuttlefish sculpture, equip with an oracle inspired glass gem “eye” and ornate faux-wrought iron body details. Both pieces are sure to leave a mark on their viewers, naturally <3